Sunday, 29 Jul 2007 11:26
There are fears of the outbreak of Legionnaires' disease on the cruise ship after six passengers fell ill
At least six people, including five Britons, have been admitted to hospital in Sweden after falling ill on a 17-day cruise of Europe.
The Black Watch ship, owned by Fred Olsen Cruise Lines, is cutting its trip short as a precautionary measure.
Swedish disease specialist Jerker Jonsson said the patients were "in [a] stable condition", adding that this was "probably a case of Legionnaires' disease".
The BBC reports that Swedish officials have tested water samples on the ship as part of their investigations into the outbreak of the disease.
A spokeswoman for Fred Olsen Cruise Lines said passengers were experiencing "pneumonia-like symptoms".
"It is important to remember that we do not know what the infection is, nor do we know how it was contracted," she added.
The spokeswoman said the ship will be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected upon its return to port.
Legionnaires' disease can cause pneumonia and its symptoms are similar to those of the flu. It can be treated with antibiotics.